Dell Adamo: A PC to Satisfy Apple Appetites

Historically, you didn't buy a Dell because you thought it would make you look more fashionable. You bought it because it was fiscally prudent. Because it looked nice enough and was a good deal, or because that was all you could afford with the tips you earned at Tortilla Flats. And you were satisfied. If you had wanted a beautifully designed computer (and a much lighter wallet), you'd have gone with Apple or Sony.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

But then Dell announced the new Adamo laptop (available for preorder now; shipping March 26). Like other Dells, it's competitive within its category (in this case, ultraportables): a 1.2 GHz processor, 2 gigs of RAM, and a light and quiet 128-gig SSD. But unlike other Dells, it's beautiful. The screen resolution is really sharp — a 13-inch, 720p glass display — and the brushed metal finish and backlit keyboard make the Onyx version look like something Darth Vader would toss in the seat beside him if he owned a car named KITT.

Most Popular

There are a few drawbacks: Although it is slightly thinner than the MacBook Air (at the Air's thickest point), it's nearly a half-pound heavier. The mouse buttons are set too close to the edge of the bottom panel, making them hard to click, and if you want an optical drive you have to buy it as a USB accessory. But it's hard to care when everything looks this nice.

We'll resist the urge to call you dude and suggest that you're getting a Dell. But you certainly might be. Although you may have to sell a kidney or a child to do so: Prices start at $1,999.